Renault unveils Megane Sport Tourer

French car maker Renault has pulled the wraps off the new Megane Sport Tourer wagon ahead of its full unveiling at the Geneva motor show.

Pictured here in flagship GT guise, the 2017 model is longer, lower, wider and lighter than its predecessor, promising to offer more interior space than before. Importantly, the updated variant will provide local buyers a sporty alternative to the growing SUV set when it arrives next year.

Like the Megane hatchback on which it is based, the wagon range will be powered exclusively by front-wheel drive engines. They will likely comprise carry-over 97kW/205Nm 1.2-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, an 81kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder and the GT's 151kW/280Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder petrol.

The Sport Tourer will be offered with five different driving modes (eco, comfort, sport, neutral and personal) controlling the engine, transmission and steering settings. Those functions will be operated from an updated 8.7-inch touchscreen that forms part of the updated interior.

The new Sport Tourer will arrive in Australia some time in 2017, following up on the soon-to-be-released Megane hatch, which arrives around September.